The development of modern industrial processes require higher oxidation resistance materials. Fe-Al-Si alloys have shown better oxidation resistance than ordinary Fe-Al binary alloys. However, high concentrations of Al and Si may result in adverse effects on the mechanical properties of the alloy, Pack Cementation Process (PCP) has been used as a method to prepare diffusion coatings with a combination of beneficial elements such as Al and Si. These additions can increase the oxidation resistance of relatively economical low alloyed steels. In addition, this diffusion coating does not significantly change the mechanical properties of the alloy. Using a pack with composition 10 Al-50Si (wt %) as a Masteralloy, 4 NH4F as an activator and 86 Al2O3 as an inert filler, a diffusion coating with composition Fe-24Al- 4Si was incorporated in a Fe-2. 25 Cr- 1Mo steel. This process was done at 1000 °C for 8 hours under an argon atmosphere. Cyclic oxidation tests of this material showed that the the Fe-24Al-4Si coating ireproves the oxidation properties of the 2.25Cr1Mo steel, decreasing its oxidation rate in air at 600 °C by forming an external protective layer of alpha-Al2O3 instead of Fe2O3.
Keywords: pack cementation, aluminizing, aluminum, silicon, coatings